Grace Jones, of Bermondsey in south London, died in hospital this morning, aged 113 years and 342 days.

Ms Jones, who was born on December 7 1899, was the last remaining Briton born in the 19th century.

She was burgled last year by a thug who tricked his way into her home.

Jesse Coker, 46, rang her front door and pushed past her into the living room where he rifled through the pensioner’s handbag and treasured belongings and grabbed personal items, including her purse before making off.

He was jailed for four years and five months.

It was the third break-in at the home of the frail pensioner within the space of weeks.

Bermondsey Liberal Democrat MP Simon Hughes confirmed Ms Jones' death today in a moving tribute in which he spoke about her fierce independence.

"Grace will be dearly missed by her many friends and neighbours and by the wider Bermondsey community," Mr Hughes said.

"We are all very sad today but we pay tribute to Grace for her wonderful, vibrant and long life, for her commitment to her faith, her family and her community, and we know that a woman of such strong Christian faith faced death with no fear.

"Although she found her failing strength frustrating, right up until her last week Grace's memory and intellect were undimmed."

Mr Hughes said Ms Jones continued to live in her council flat in Bermondsey until just a few weeks ago when she suffered a fall and had to be taken to hospital.

He praised her neighbours, nurses and medical staff for taking care of her.

"All those who met Grace knew they had met one of London's most doughty individuals and she will never be forgotten," he said.

Mr Hughes said Ms Jones was engaged during the First World War, but never married after her fiance was killed on active duty.

She worked as a seamstress until her retirement, about half a century ago.

Arrangements for her funeral were under way, he added.

Her death came just weeks after the UK's oldest man, 110-year-old great-great-grandfather Ralph Tarrant, died on October 30.

His funeral was held in Sheffield this week.

His daughter, Chris Carter, who lives in the United States, told the Sheffield Telegraph: "He was amazing.

"His prime objective was to take care of his family. I always considered him a fun-loving guy, although he was grumpy at times."

Mr Tarrant had two children, eight grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

His wife, Phyllis, died two years ago aged 102. Until then, they were Britain's longest married couple at 79 years.

Mr Tarrant was born in Nottingham in 1903 but lived in Sheffield for most of his life.

He worked in the steel industry and later sold insurance. During the Second World War he served in the RAF.

His family said he lived independently almost to the end of this life.

In the summer, on his 110th birthday, he revealed that he had smoked until he was 70 and still enjoyed a glass of whisky.

Ms Jones and Mr Tarrant lived through several key moments in human history.

Ms Jones was born during Queen Victoria's reign while Mr Tarrant was born while King Edward VII was on the throne, and they lived through both World Wars. Ms Jones was born during the Second Boer War.

There were 22 prime ministers during Ms Jones' lifetime. When she was born, Australia was not even a country, having federated in 1901.